Sheetla Mata Story: The Mythology and Significance of the Basoda Festival:

Sheetla Mata is revered as the goddess of smallpox and other infectious diseases in Hindu tradition. Every year, devotees worship her on Sheetla Saptami and Ashtami (the seventh and eighth day of Krishna Paksha in Chaitra month). This unique observance involves offering cold, stale food—a practice known as Basoda—to the goddess.

Why Cold Food Is Offered: The Basoda Festival

On Sheetla Saptami, families prepare various dishes, which are then offered to the goddess on the following day, Sheetla Ashtami. These cold dishes include raw milk, curd, lassi, and other items not freshly cooked on the day of offering.

This ritual symbolizes peace, humility, and healing, aligning with the belief that Sheetla Mata calms fevers and infections, especially in children.

The Mythological Story of Sheetla Mata

According to the Skanda Purana, Sheetla Devi was created by Brahma and is considered a manifestation of Goddess Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva.

When Sheetla Devi descended to Earth with Jwarasura (a fever demon created from Shiva’s sweat), she carried lentils and cold drinks. She sought refuge in King Virat’s kingdom, but the king refused to allow her to stay.

As a result, the goddess became angry, and the king's subjects were afflicted by disease—developing red rashes and suffering from high fever. Realizing his mistake, King Virat apologized and offered her raw milk and cold lassi. Pleased with the devotion, Sheetla Mata's wrath subsided. This event led to the tradition of offering cold food to appease her.

Sheetla Mata’s Unique Form and Symbols

Sheetla Mata is often depicted:

Holding a broom and neem leaves
Carrying a pot of cooling liquid and lentils
Accompanied by deities of sixty-four diseases, including:
- Ghetukarna (god of skin disease)
- Goddess of cholera
- Jwarasura (fever demon)

According to the Skanda Purana, the Sheetalashtak hymn, dedicated to her worship, was composed by Lord Shiva himself.